Steering-gear for trailers



A. ARATO.

STEERING GEAR FUR TRAILERS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE I. 1920.

Patented pr. 12, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ACHILLE ARATO, 0F TURIN, ITALY, ASSIGNOR T0 FERRUCCIO BOTTA, 0F TIJ'RIN',

ITALY.

STEERING-GEAR FOR TRAILERS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 12,1921.

Application `1ed June 1, 1920. Serial No. 385,733.

subject of the King ofltaly, and resident of useful Improvements in Steering-Gears for Trailers, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to four wheeled trailer vehicles of the kind having wheels mounted on pivoted axles or carriages or, generally speaking, on steering parts, and provided with steering meaiis for causing the wheels to follow the trackof they wheels of the tractor, or :of the preceding vehicle, during the hauling. l

The object of this invention is t'o -provide an improved arrangement for transmitting to the .trailer wheels the deviations of the coupling between the trailer and the preceding vehicle or tractor, said arrangement being less complicated and cumbersome than the arrangements at present in use.

` The figure of the annexed drawing shows in plan a diagram of an embodiment of this invention. i

As shown Iin the ldrawing the four wheels 1 of the vehicle are mounted in pairs at the endsy of axles 2 an-d 2', each.adapted to rotate around. its vertical central axis with regard to the frame 3.

A lmovable member or yoke 5 5 is pivoted, at L+-4 respectively, to Vthe center of each end piece of the vehicle frame and apart from the pivot point of the adjacent axlewand each 4of said membersis adapted to be connected with a coupling 6 which is hinged to said member to rock around a horizontal axis so as to be free for moving in vertical direction with regard to member 5 while said coupling and member are rigid during rotation in a horizontal plane.

Each member 5 5 is connected with the adjacent pivoted axle 2 2 by means of rods 7, and the points of connection of said rods 7 with the members 5 5 and axles 2-2 respectively are spaced apart to'different extents from. the respective centers of rotation Vof said parts, the ratio between the distance from pivot pins 4 4 to the pivot oints of bars 7 onsaid members 5 5 and the distance from the pivot points of the axles 2 2 to the pivot points of bars 7 on the same axles being the same ratio as required between the deviations of members 5 5 and axles 2 2 for the purpose of causing the wheels of the trailer to follow v #the track of the wheels of the tractor 0r .Turin, Italy, have invented certain new and preceding car. This ratio depends upon the particular construction of the cars, that is upon the distance between the axles and the distance between the head-stocks of the subsequent vehicles.

The members 5 5 are interconnected by means of crossing rods 8 8 which are pivoted on said members at points equally spaced from the pivot points 4-4 of said members on the vehicle frame.

By the described construction the deviations imparted to the member 5 by the coupling 6 are transmitted under the required ratio and in the same direction to the adjacent axle 2 and the same deviations are transmitted to the same extent but in the opposite direction to theother member 5'; this member 5 moves the adjacent axle 2 through the proper angle and in the opposite direction with regard to axle 2 so that all the wheels of the trailer car take up the required position for correct steering.

vIt is to be understood that the trailer wheels may be mounted on pivoted carriages or on other steering parts of any kind instead of being mounted on pivoted axles as illustrated in the above described embodiment.

The described construction allows of obtaining the correct steering Vof the several cars of a road. train and of connecting together-said cars whatever may be the ends of the cars which are in front of each other when the train is formed.

In the construction according to this invention the swinging members 5 and 5 connected with lthe couplings 6 are located at the ends of the car so that the couplings pivoted to them may move freely in a vertical direction. Furthermore said members may have a small size so that they do not require the provision of guiding means for their swinging motion.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

, 1. In a trailer having wheels mounted on steering parts, a member pivoted to swing at each end of the` trailer around 'a vertical axis distinct from the axis of rotation of sai-d steering parts, means for connecting either of said members with a tractor, and

means interconnecting said steering parts vand swinging end members, said means conivprising, ties transmitting/the deviations of said swinging member connected .with the tractor to the steering parts. carrying Athe adjacent wheels' the same dire'ctlon, .and

under a reducedv ratio, and tothe steering' parts carrying the other wheels in the opposite direction and under the same reduced t ratio.

2. In a trailer having pivoted axles, a

vpainof wheels mounted on each axle, a memsame reducedfratio.

3.1n ay trailer having pivoted axles, a

pair of wheels on each axle, a memberpiv-` oted` to swing around a vertical axls .at each end. of the trailer, means for connecting either of said swingmg members with Va tractor, ties connecting each swinging member with the adjacent axle, the pivot points oifsaid'ties onV the associated swinglng `mem- `ber and axle being located at Vthe same side of. and lat -different distances,1from`the re spective centers` of rotation of ,said .member and axle,f and ties interconnecting said swinging-members, the pivot points of the named ties on said Swingin w members beingi .rlocatedrat the oposite si esl-of and at the same distancelfronithe centers of rotation off'said-swinging members.

4. ,In a trailer havingwheels mounted on steeringV parts, a member pivoted to swing at each end of `the trailer aroundan axis distinct Vfrom the axisof rotation of said .steering parts, almember pivoted around a `horizontal axis on either of' said 'swinging members and adaptedto be connected with a tractor, andmeans interconnecting said steering parts and: swinging end members, said means comprising ties transmitting the vdeviations ofthe swingingmember connected with the tractor tothe steering parts carrying the' adjacent wheels in the same direction and under a reduced ratio, and. to

4the steering-parts carrying the'other wheelsl in the opposite direction and under the samereduced ratio'. Y

5. In a trailery having wheels mounted o n steering parts, -a member pivoted to swing at each end of the trailer around a vertical axis distinct from the axis of rotation vof said steering parts, means fory connecting either-of` said members with a tractor, cross ties connecting together said swinging members, veach tie being pivoted at oppositesidesv of and at the same Idistance from the centers of rotationof said swinging. members, and ties connecting each swinging'member with thev steering partsfcarrying the adjacent wheels, the last-named ties being'pivoted on said swinging members and parts at 'diler-- ent-.distances from the respective centers of rotation;

Turin, Italy, this 11 May, 19.20.

Signed at g Y ARATO 

